2008 Buddy/Stella news

illnoise · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject: 2008 Buddy/Stella news

my vast network of spies pays off again:

http://2strokebuzz.com/index.php/?p=3823

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY CUBIC CENTIMETER Buddy "International" editions in fantastic colors

50cc Italia

new Buddy colors

A few new Stellas in Jan, new colors, other small changes. More in May

Photos tonight, no time to prep them all right now, sorry.

Bryan

polianarchy · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject:

I'm so GREEN with jealousy!!! Bleh

jetboy · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:02 pm Post subject:

150cc Buddy - Wow! Yes, I feel I'm going to be jealous. Can't wait to test ride one. I wonder if there will be an engine kit made available for those of us with 125s? Hope so! Must start saving my butter and egg money...

-jetboy

pcbikedude · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject:

Might it be a Blur engine in a Buddy skin?
-or- a bigger Buddy?
Isn't fun to speculate? Twisted Evil

Corsair · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:19 am Post subject:

All I wanted was a faster Buddy! and now it's here... too bad I'm friggin broke Sad

As far as no more Blur... they REALLY should have brought that 200cc over here. I really feel it would have made a big difference. It's a great looking scooter but the people I saw that were interested in a Blur were disappointed by the engine size and ended up getting a 250cc scooter from another company. I've personally seen Genuine's lack of a bigger scooter hurt their sales.

Can't wait to see pics though!

ericalm · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:23 am Post subject:

So is this the first actual confirmation that the Stella is going back into regular production? We knew there were around 300 coming.

I'm still hoping for a CA Stella. And I thin kI have good reason to continue hoping. But Genuine needs to stop teasing us and just tell us if it's coming. Please!

Also, no more pink Buddy? That was a popular color (or so I thought). Maybe I should buy an entire set of pink body panels for the wife. Actually, that Buddy's going to be for sale if the Stella comes to CA...

...and maybe my LX 150, too!

Corsair · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:25 am Post subject:

jrsjr · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:28 am Post subject:

A 150 Buddy with a factory Stebel horn?!? Shocked

It's hard to imagine how they could make the Buddy much better, but if they have, it's going to be irresistable. Crap. See, now I may have to actually go ISO gainful employment to raise the $$$$ for one of those. Seriously. Twisted Evil

gt1000 · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:38 am Post subject:

ericalm · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:43 am Post subject:

illnoise · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:33 am Post subject:

Actually, I can't find it in my notes, but I think pink *will be* available in limited quantities (or maybe to certain dealers? maybe just one displacement? I'll try to find out more). It's not on the official color list, though.

echochamber · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:20 am Post subject:

Gotta love the one-fity cc's.

Now if they would:

1) make it in black
2) improve suspension
3) make it so I don't scape the center stand on LH turns

\e

vaderscoot · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

id love to see the 150 motor sold by its self. that way i wouldnt have to go back to the dmv and get a class M lisense

ericalm · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject:

weaseltamer · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject:

but i want pictures sooooo much!! Crying or Very sad

vaderscoot · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

Kevin K · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject:

In Minnesota you need an endorsement for anything over 50cc's, so no big here.
-K

Dooglas · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

illnoise · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

ryder1 · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:38 am Post subject:

Other big Genuine news: the 2008 Buddy line will feature three “International” Editions with 150cc engines (yes, 150cc, thats’ not a typo) at an MSRP of $2,999. The first is the “Series Italia” as seen in 2006, the two new models are “Saint-Tropez” in french blue and dove grey with a navy seat, and the “Pamplona” in Beige and Red with a tan seat. These two models are as distinctive and stunning (if not more so) than the Italia, and the idea of a Buddy with a 150cc engine (and a new Stebel airhorn standard) is nearly frightening.

The Series Italia will also be available in a limited-edition 50cc edition at $1999.

The 50 and 125cc Buddies remain pretty much the same, but with new colors: seafoam, powder blue, tangerine (looks yellow in photos), red, and black. 50ccs are $1899, 125s are $2599.

Drumwoulf · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 523

Maybe because I also have a GT200, I feel I can live w/o the Buddy 150 and be content with my 2007 125. However I definitely would like to replace my meep-meep horn Razz

with the new more powerful Stebel placed in the new Buddys! I'm guessing they'll prolly sell it separately, right?

ericalm · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:14 am Post subject: Re: New Buddys...

Hey Buddy · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:32 am Post subject:

Pictures!!!
On 2StrokeBuzz.

Dooglas · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:47 am Post subject:

illnoise · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:06 am Post subject:

Yep, photos are up. Also, be sure to read John Gerber's comments to that post, he's a hundred-times better-informed than I am, he'd be dangerous with a blog, ha. Note that I made several changes and added some details to the text, I got a bit more info from another source.

To answer a couple questions (to the best of my ability):

California seems very unlikely for now, but again, look at Gerber's comments, if LML actually gets their act together as far as quality and innovation, they've got the whole geared-scooter market to themselves. If they actually have a decent ET4 clone (is it a clone if it's made with Piaggio's old tooling?) coming out, they could soon be selling two "Piaggio" models that Piaggio doesn't even sell anymore, for far less than current Piaggios. And that California market would be a goldmine for Genuine and LML, and they know that. I wouldn't be surprised if, as John suggests, Piaggio is scrambling to get a new geared scooter out, the return of the PX to the US was clearly a reaction to the their loss of market share to the Stella. And mark my words, Bajaj will unveil a "new" Chetak exactly six months after it's too late to make a dent in the market.

The pink Buddy (50 and 125) apparently WILL be available in limited quantities to some dealers (I'm not really clear how that works, maybe the dealer has to place a pre-order before the production run?) The 50cc "mini" Series Italia sounds like it might be the same deal.

Yes, Stebels are readily available if you want to upgrade an old Buddy, I know there are upgrade instructions on Modern Vespa that may be helpful, if there aren't Buddy-specific instructions here.

I don't think the Buddy 150 is going to blow the 125 out of the water or anything, but it will hopefully be a reasonable improvement. From what I've heard about the Blur 150 vs. the 200, that was a good example of how extra displacement doesn't guarantee exponentially better performance, it's all in the engineering, and any scooter racer can tell you that losing 20 pounds can buy you more speed than adding 25 cc. (whether you choose to diet or add SPEED HOLES! to the bike is up to you) I dig the Buddy and all, but I honestly don't think you'd want an 85mph Buddy without some serious frame/suspension/brake upgrades.

As a Blur owner and evangelist, I'm disappointed to see the Blur go, too, but they just simply weren't selling. If you've ever thought about trying one, don't let that news stop you, they're in stock at most Genuine dealers and the '06s have been discounted. It's a great bike, and i wouldn't be surprised to see some Genuine-designed performance mods for it to help unload their stock. If that succeeds, I wouldn't be surprised to see new and improved Blurs in a year or two. Also, someone on the Blur board said PGO is changing their lineup around a lot to meet new Taiwanese emissions standards, so we can expect electronic fuel injection and other changes to the PGO line soon, that might explain why they've discontinued a few models. Most of the new Kymcos have EFI, so that makes sense.

Speaking of Kymco (why am I posting all this here and not on 2sb?) as I mentioned in the story, I've started hearing a few quality and engineering complaints about their new maxiscooters. It doesn't seem like the end of the world for them, but to go from making a range of 50cc scooters to making a 700cc maxi over the course of a few years probably takes its toll on a company. PGO seems committed to their niche, and to squeezing more performance out of small engines. I've never been a fan of maxiscooters, so I applaud that direction, but as a Genuine fan (though I like Kymco too), it's sad to see Genuine losing customers when Buddy owners "upgrade" to maxis. Have any of you guys thought you needed more displacement, only to realize that your 125cc Buddy was a lot more fun than your new overengineered 500cc monster? Don't believe the hype, 125/150cc is where it's at. : )

ericalm · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the info, Bryan. I've been waiting for months for this announcement, as have many of us here.

I still think CA Stellas are a possibility, maybe in May. Genuine has been teasing the Californians with this for a while... I think they're even teasing the dealers.

Imagine a Genuine-imported ET clone! That could be huge and would really cut into LX and LXS sales. Maybe I should buy one of those ET full chrome kits on sale at Motorsport. Anyone planning on getting a Stella should pick up the chrome kit there—you'll never get a better price on a new complete kit.

illnoise · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:29 am Post subject:

Interesting, just noticed Steve at the Scoop posted a story, too:

http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2007/11/stellas-are-on-way.html

his info is consistent with what I've heard, but he had a few other details:

Cleaner emissions (maybe they *are* CA-ready. But I really doubt it. Probably just some minor carb and/or exhaust tweaks.)
Improved paint (check)
New Halogen Headlamp (nice!)
New improved shocks (Hadn't heard that)
Zippy 1 Continental tires (check, with whitewalls on the avocado)
Italian Grimeca Disc (that seems to clarify that, though he might just be repeating what everyone's guessing. I could not get a definite answer on that.)

He also has photos of the powder blue Stella, apparently taken the same time as the photos I have.

I love pretending that I actually have to work hard for this stuff, rather than that Genuine is just purposefully leaking this stuff to us so we can do free PR for them, ha.

Those Stellas in the outdoor photos may be prototypes or paint tests, the bikes look otherwise identical to old ones, but who knows, the changes may be subtle. I was at first tempted to say all those Buddy photos were just photoshopped with different colors, but they're not, they're all from very slightly different angles. (and note the pamplona is missing the rear fender, surely not by design!)

Bb

beelzebubbles · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:23 am Post subject:

DouglasLive · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject:

gt1000 · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject:

ericalm · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the 125/150s are perfect for my commuting/urban riding needs. There's never been a time that I wished for a higher overall top speed. I've wanted a little more power when climbing hills or riding 2-up, which is why my LX got a 190 kit this week.

Still, a Stella may be in my future. A large frame shifter is what I've always wanted and as much as I'm drawn to older Vespas, getting a brand new one has its appeal. It's really a matter of getting a CA Stella and then convincing the wife that if we need 2 cats, then I need 2 scoots. (There's a logic to that—in my mind at least.)

lobsterman · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject:

I'm trying to figure out how I could swing getting one of the remaining 07 Blurs, though last time I was in Metro Scooter they didn't have any left to sell.

Of course, the big thing would be convincing my wife I needed to spend the extra money involved in selling the 06 Buddy to buy the 07 Blur.

Primarily I am interested in the extra room on the Blur for 2-up riding, and the larger wheels which I think might give me some better handling on the WOT bits of my commute.

I am sorry to see Blur leave the lineup, but as some here said, maybe it will be back for 2009 with some changes.

ericalm · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject:

Couple other things I just noticed:

No more creme Buddy.

Black Buddy is now ALL black.

All non-special edition Buddys now have black seats, interior panels, headset bottoms and grips. So get those brown panels and brown or white grips now while they're still available.

IMHO, this helps make the 2-tone special editions all the more special. I'd really like to see numbered limited editions, as with old Stellas, but that may not be possible or cost-effective with these.

For the Genuine ET4, though...! (Wonder if that'd sport the GY-6 engine? That would be really bizarre.)

lobsterman · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject:

While we're at the panel parts discussion, it sure would be nice to have readily available plastic bits for cheap and easy customization and repair. Metro Scooter in Cincinnati has done some nice custom Buddys by swapping panels around, I'd like to be able to do that for myself.

ericalm · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject: